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| Spotlight on Youth - Sept. 7, 2011 |
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AGCO awards FFA collegiate scholarships
DULUTH, GA — AGCO, a worldwide distributor and manufacturer of agricultural equipment, is the sponsor of a National FFA Collegiate Scholarship awarded to Audra Franz of Heritage High School in Monroeville, Ind., and Lauren Jernas of Oregon-Davis High School in Hamlet, Ind. Franz and Jernas are two of 20 outstanding FFA members to receive a scholarship sponsored by AGCO and AGCO Finance, said Jason Marx, vice president of marketing, AGCO North America. Scholarships were provided through the 2010–2011 FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program.
“These students are selected based on the leadership they have shown in their schools and communities and for their academic excellence,” says Marx. “FFA has played a major role in helping them set and achieve their goals. Now, AGCO is proud to help support them in their continuing efforts to excel.”
AGCO support for the National FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program is only one way the company and its employees express their appreciation for FFA. Other activities include corporate involvement at National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. These activities represent a 65-year commitment between the company and the organization. Throughout those years, AGCO and its heritage companies have benefited from the work that FFA carries out in American schools and colleges. Marx notes that many AGCO employees credit FFA with helping them to develop their skills and lifelong interest in agriculture.
Franz’s parents are Allen and Sandra Franz, Monroeville. The Heritage graduate is now a student at Purdue University with plans to major in horticulture. AGCO extends its best wishes for Franz’s success academically and professionally in the years that follow.
Jernas’ parents are Larry and Vicki Jernas, Knox. The Oregon-Davis graduate is now a student at Purdue University – West Lafayette with plans to major in animal science. AGCO extends its best wishes for Jernas’ success academically and professionally in the years that follow.
Franz’s and Jernas AGCO– and AGCO Finance–sponsored scholarships are two of 1,590 scholarships awarded by the National FFA organization to 2011 high school graduates and select college students. Students shared a total of more than $1.9 million contributed by sponsoring companies. Recipients were chosen from 7,649 students who applied for the scholarships for students entering multiyear programs. Awards were based on academic records, FFA achievements, leadership, and other school and community activities. Supervised agricultural-experience programs and future goals were also considered.
Young Beef Producer Award winners announced
URBANA, Ill. — The 2011 Illinois Superior Young Beef Producers Award Contest was held on Aug. 10 in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair. Twenty 4-H and FFA members from across Illinois competed in this three-phase competition challenging their knowledge of beef production.
Five $1,000 scholarships were presented to the highest-scoring individuals overall. The contest is sponsored by Archer Daniels Midland of Decatur and the Illinois State Fair. The Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association supplies the individual plaques presented to the scholarship and phase winners.
The top five youth awarded $1,000 scholarships were Michael Ring of Oregon, Ill., Seeley Sayre of Arenzville, Ill., Ashley McEwen of Bushnell, Ill., Ben Kiner of Mendota, Ill., and Kendall Shimmin of Roseville, Ill.
In the beef management test, Ring, Wade Culver and McEwen sorted themselves to the top and received plaques for their achievements. In the skill-a-thon phase, Ring, Kiner and Sayre took home the highest honors. In the judging competition, Sayre, McEwen, and Eric McClure of St. Francisville made up the top three.
Dan Jennings, University of Illinois Extension 4-H livestock specialist, said, “This contest provides youth an opportunity to showcase their knowledge of the industry while competing for valuable scholarships to help them pursue their career goals.”
This year marked the 15th consecutive year for the Superior Young Beef Producers Contest which has provided participating youth the opportunity to compete for $80,000 in college scholarships since its inception. The purpose of the contest is to create an educational activity that promotes youth development, career development, and personal growth through increased knowledge of the beef industry. |
| 9/7/2011 |
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